Here’s a more sobering thought, one that many of us may be thinking, but few of us would dare say out loud: Is it who is being killed on Baltimore’s streets that makes us so accepting of homicide numbers that people in other cities find appalling?

We know the demographics of homicide in Baltimore by now. The victims and perps are usually young black men with criminal records. Is there a feeling – an acceptance – that somehow street justice is catching up with these young men before court justice does?

Street justice Baltimore-style is brutal, cold, remorseless, relentless and oh-so-final. Those choosing to engage in the chess match of Baltimore street crime pretty much know how that end game is going to be played.